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Solar panels in Maine cost $2.91-$3.19/W installed. No federal tax credit for homeowners. Here is exactly what you will pay in Portland, Bangor, Lewiston, and every major city — with real data.
The 30% federal solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.
All costs shown are what you actually pay in 2026. No inflated savings claims from a credit that no longer exists. Learn more
Average Cost/Watt
$3.05
Installed
9 kW System Cost
$27,450
Before tax exemptions
Sales Tax Saved
$1,510
5.5% exempt
Federal ITC
$0
Expired Dec 2025
Larger systems have a lower cost per watt. These prices reflect installed cost with no federal tax credit. The 5.5% sales tax exemption applies to all sizes.
| Size | Cost Range | Panels | Best For | Sales Tax Saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $14,550-$15,950 | 12-15 | Small home, low usage | ~$839 |
| 8 kW | $23,280-$25,520 | 20-24 | Average Maine home | ~$1,342 |
| 9 kW | $26,190-$28,710 | 22-27 | Typical Maine system | ~$1,510 |
| 12 kW | $34,920-$38,280 | 30-36 | Large home or EV charging | ~$2,013 |
Costs vary slightly by location. The biggest factor affecting payback is which utility territory you are in — CMP ($0.27/kWh) vs Versant ($0.32/kWh).
Largest city. Coastal climate, good solar resource. 2-3 week permitting.
Second-largest city. Slightly lower costs than Portland. Good installer availability.
Versant territory. Higher rates mean faster payback despite higher latitude.
Twin city with Lewiston. Same market pricing and CMP territory.
State capital. CMP territory. Standard pricing.
Portland metro area. CMP territory. Standard metro pricing.
Select your city and system size to see accurate 2026 pricing. No inflated savings from expired tax credits.
No federal tax credit (25D expired). Maine solar economics rely on net energy billing (1:1 retail) + property and sales tax exemptions.
Third-party PPA/lease still benefits from Section 48 ITC (30%). Ask your installer about $0-down options.
The per-watt price varies based on your specific situation.
Asphalt shingle roofs are cheapest to install on. All racking must handle Maine snow loads. Steeper pitches shed snow faster but cost more to install.
CMP ($0.27/kWh) covers ~70% of Maine. Versant ($0.32/kWh) covers ~30%. Both offer 1:1 NEB but Versant territory sees faster payback due to higher bill offset.
Maine is 89% forested, the most in the US. Tree removal or trimming is often needed. Microinverters handle partial shade better than string inverters but add $0.15-0.25/W.
Larger systems have lower per-watt costs. Multi-plane roofs, ground mounts, and battery additions increase total cost. Average Maine system is 9 kW.
Southern Maine benefits from more installer competition. Northern Maine has fewer options and potentially higher costs due to travel and limited labor pool.
Your utility territory is the single biggest factor in solar payback. Both utilities offer 1:1 NEB, but Versant's higher rate means faster returns.
Solar panels in Maine cost $2.91-$3.19 per watt installed, with an average of $3.05/W. A typical 9 kW system costs approximately $27,450. After the 5.5% sales tax exemption (~$1,510 savings), the effective cost is about $25,940. There is no federal 25D tax credit and no state solar rebate.
Maine has no state solar rebate (Efficiency Maine focuses on heat pumps) and the federal 25D ITC expired in 2025. CMP rates ($0.27/kWh) are lower than Massachusetts (~$0.28) or Connecticut (~$0.30). The combination of full system cost and moderate rates means a 15-17 year payback in CMP territory. Versant customers ($0.32/kWh) see 12-14 years.
Installation costs are similar — Portland runs $2.95-$3.19/W and Bangor $2.91-$3.15/W. However, Bangor is in Versant territory ($0.32/kWh) while Portland is CMP ($0.27/kWh). The higher electricity rate in Bangor means each kWh of solar is worth more, resulting in faster payback (12-14 years vs 15-17 years) despite similar installation costs.
The 5.5% sales tax exemption saves ~$1,510 upfront. The 100% statewide property tax exemption saves ~$381/year (solar adds home value but $0 to tax bill). Net Energy Billing provides 1:1 retail credits. There is no state solar rebate and no federal 25D ITC. For PPA/lease, the third-party owner still captures the 30% Section 48 ITC.
The average Maine home uses about 7,200-10,800 kWh/year. At ~1,200 kWh/kW/year production in Maine, a 6-9 kW system covers most homes. CMP customers should size to offset their annual usage. Check your electric bill for annual kWh usage and divide by 1,200 for a rough system size estimate.
Without the federal ITC, the calculus has shifted. Cash purchase has the longest payback (15-17 years for CMP) but highest 25-year savings. PPA/lease is the strongest $0-down option because the third-party owner still captures the 30% Section 48 ITC and passes savings to you as a below-retail rate. This is more attractive now than when homeowners could claim their own 30% credit.
Yes. Maine averages ~1,200 kWh/kW/year, which is solid for solar. Panels actually perform more efficiently in cold temperatures. Snow slides off panels at steep angles. Modern panels handle Maine snow loads easily. Summer production compensates for shorter winter days. Annual production is predictable and bankable.
Find out exactly what solar costs for your home, your city, and your utility territory. Accurate 2026 pricing. No inflated tax credit claims.